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Compensation & Benefits

IRS finally publishes list of jobs qualifying for no tax on tips

05/04/2026
The provision allows some workers to deduct from their income subject to federal taxation a portion of their tip earnings up to $25,000 per year, subject to total income caps. The deduction is available for tax years 2025 through 2028.

New Jersey Supreme Court: Employers must pay undocumented workers for time worked

05/04/2026
The court said there is nothing in New Jersey’s Wage and Hour Law that exempts employers from having to pay any workers at least the state minimum wage and overtime premiums set out in the WHL when they perform work.

Niche state-leave proposals to watch

04/27/2026
It’s no secret that state and local legislatures are busy filling in the blanks left by Congress when it comes to offering employees time off from work. But recently, some of the legislative proposals have reached farther and aim to create very specialized leaves for niche needs.

Starbucks switches to weekly pay and adds bonuses

04/27/2026
Starbucks, the national café chain, has faced labor problems over the last few years. Now, partly to boost retention and cut turnover and partly to prevent further unionization, the company has announced a series of improvements to pay.

DOL rule will allow crypto and private equity in 401(k)s

04/20/2026
The Department of Labor has issued proposed regulations that would allow pension administrators to include alternative investments in their defined contribution 401(k) and related employee pension plans for the first time.

Is the future of work full-time? Proposal signals possible shift

04/20/2026
If the proposal and others like it catches on, Congress may consider amending the FLSA to include full-time work requirements.

Is it time to offer more benefits for singles?

04/20/2026
The number of unmarried individuals has grown substantially, with almost 47% of American adults remaining unpaired. Among the generational cohorts entering the labor force now, a great many are single and plan to stay that way. And that may change how employers approach benefits.

As student loan SAVE ends, here’s HR’s role

04/13/2026
It’s likely that most employers have employees who will soon have to make budget adjustments to accommodate repayment. HR plays a crucial role in educating employees on the new rules and reminding affected employees about any options they have under their employer’s benefit programs.

AI pushes HR toward proactive benefits strategy

04/06/2026
The 2026 Benefits Insights Report highlights a shift from “personalization” to what it calls “anticipatory intelligence.” The idea: Instead of responding after problems arise, HR teams can use real-time data and AI to identify confusion, risk and cost drivers earlier.

DOL raises required wages for visa holders

04/06/2026
One of the effects will be to discourage U.S. employers from using H-1B visas to hire entry-level workers, leaving those positions open for American workers seeking those jobs.